Guwahati will host the 2028 edition of the India Open Super 750 badminton tournament, the Badminton Association of India (BAI) announced on Sunday, with the event moving from its customary home in New Delhi for one season because the calendar clash with Republic Day makes staging the tournament in the capital impractical.
Reason for move: calendar clash with Republic Day
According to BAI secretary general Sanjay Mishra, the 2028 India Open is scheduled from 25 to 30 January under the Badminton World Federation (BWF) calendar, a window that overlaps with Republic Day arrangements in New Delhi. Mishra said the timing complicates player movement, practice schedules and broader security planning in the national capital.
“The 2027 India Open will happen in India. But for 2028, we might shift it to Guwahati because around 25th January to 30th January clashes with the 26th January celebration. In this area, it becomes very difficult for players’ movement, for practice, and for the tournament as well,” Mishra said.
BAI indicated the change is intended only for the single season when the clash occurs. The association confirmed that the tournament will be hosted in New Delhi in 2027 and will return to the capital in 2029.
Venue and local impact
The 2028 edition will be staged at the National Centre of Excellence of Badminton in Guwahati, the city’s principal indoor badminton facility. Hosting a Super 750 event will bring international players, officials and media to the city for the week-long tournament.
For Guwahati, which has invested in regional sports infrastructure in recent years, the move offers both an opportunity and logistical demands: accommodation, practice schedules, transportation and security will need coordination between state authorities, the BAI and local organisers to meet BWF standards. The BAI has not released detailed operational plans beyond the venue confirmation.
- Event dates (BWF calendar): 25–30 January 2028 (India Open); 2–7 February 2027 (India Open)
- 2027 & 2029: India Open to be held in New Delhi
- 2028 venue: National Centre of Excellence of Badminton, Guwahati
| Year | Host city | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | New Delhi | Scheduled in February (2–7) |
| 2028 | Guwahati | Moved due to Republic Day clash (25–30 Jan) |
| 2029 | New Delhi | Event to return to capital |
Context: calendar constraints and previous criticism
Mishra highlighted that the BWF sets the global calendar and that changing a single event’s slot can disrupt the wider schedule. The India Open has faced criticism in recent seasons over venue and playing conditions in New Delhi, and there were separate complaints about pollution and the January–February window. Mishra said those issues informed organisers’ sensitivity but the specific move to Guwahati is driven by the practicalities around Republic Day.
In the aftermath of India hosting the 2026 World Championships, Mishra welcomed positive feedback from players and officials for the arrangements in New Delhi, and that experience bolstered confidence in India’s capacity to stage major events.
Separately, the BAI has placed a bid to host the 2028 Thomas and Uber Cup, with Mishra indicating India intends to propose the IG Stadium in New Delhi for that competition. Multiple countries have submitted bids for the Thomas and Uber Cup, and the BAI cited India’s recent showings as strengthening its prospects.
For Guwahati residents, the one-off staging of a Super 750 event represents a rare opportunity to witness top-level badminton in the North-East. Authorities and local organisers will now need to ensure transport, hospitality and security arrangements meet international expectations while providing a smooth experience for athletes and fans.
